Water Softener System and Method

ABSTRACT

A water treatment system is provided that includes first and second water treatment control valves. Each control valve includes orifices and a piston. Movement of the piston is operative to change the flow of water through the orifices. The inlet and outlet ports of the second control valve are reversed relative to locations of the inlet and outlet ports on the first control valve. Each control valve is in operative connection with a respective brine tank and a resin tank. A manifold is in operative connection with the inlet and outlet ports of the first and second control valves. The manifold includes an inlet and an outlet port and a three way valve. A controller is configured to selectively operate the three way valve to direct water from the inlet port of the manifold to one of the input ports of the first and second control valves.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of ProvisionalApplication No. 61/494,449 filed Jun. 8, 2011, Provisional ApplicationNo. 61/513,450 filed Jul. 29, 2011, and Provisional Application No.61/607,343 filed Mar. 6, 2012, the disclosures of each of which areincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Water softeners are used to remove calcium and other deposit causingmaterials from the untreated or “hard water.” The water softener has anion exchange process taking place in an ion-exchange resin bed stored ina resin tank of the water softener. As the water that is to be processedpasses through the resin-filled tank, ions of calcium and other mineralsin the water are exchanged with ions found in the resin, e.g., sodium,thereby removing objectionable ions from the water and exchanging themwith less objectionable ions from the resin.

The capacity of the resin to exchange ions is finite and is reducedduring the ion exchange process. Water softeners are generally operativeto periodically regenerate the ion exchange resin stored in the resintank. Regeneration generally involves chemically replacing theobjectionable ions such as calcium ions from the resin with lessobjectionable ions such as sodium ions. This replacement is typicallyperformed by introducing a regenerant solution of sodium chloride orpotassium chloride into the resin bed from a brine tank and thereafterflushing the regenerant solution from the bed. Regeneration of a watersoftener resin bed may be performed in a direction that is the same asthe flow of water to be treated. This is generally known as “downflowregeneration”. Regeneration of a water softener resin may be performedin a direction that is opposite to the flow of water being treated. Thisis generally known as “upflow regeneration”. The resin bed is backwashedin order to remove trapped particulate matter, and the resin tank can berinsed to remove objectionable soluble materials. In order to preventinterruption of service, most water softeners are configured to allow abypass flow of untreated water directly to the service lines duringbackwash, rinse, and regeneration.

Water softeners may benefit from improvements.

SUMMARY

The following is a brief summary of subject matter that is described ingreater detail herein. This summary is not intended to be limiting as tothe scope of the claims. A water treatment system is provided thatincludes a brine tank and a resin tank and a control valve in operativeconnection with the tanks. The control valve includes a piston that isoperated by a first motor to move between different positions to changethe flow of water through orifices in the control valve, and a brinevalve that is operated by a second motor to open and close the passagebetween the brine tank and resin tank. The second motor operates thebrine valve independently of the operation of the piston by the firstmotor.

In another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided thatincludes moving a piston with a first motor to change the flow of waterthrough a plurality of orifices in a control valve of a water softeningsystem comprising a brine tank and a resin tank. The control valveincludes a brine valve in fluid communication with at least one of theorifices and the brine valve is operative to open and close at least onepassage between the control valve and the brine tank. The control valveincludes a brine valve cam. In a first position, the brine valve cam isoperative to cause the brine valve to open the at least one passage, andin a second position the brine valve cam is operative to cause the brinevalve to close the at least one passage. The method further includesmoving the brine cam with a second motor between the first and secondpositions to cause the brine valve to open and close the passageindependently of the operation of the first motor.

In another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a water treatment systemis provided that includes a control valve. The control valve includes aplurality of orifices and a piston. Movement of the piston is operativeto change the flow of water through the orifices. A brine tank is inoperative connection with the control valve. The brine tank includes apump. A resin tank is in operative connection with the control valve andincludes an ion exchange resin bed. At least one controller isoperatively configured to cause the pump to operate to push brine fromthe brine tank through the control valve and into the resin tank.

In another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a method is provided thatincludes moving a first piston with a first motor to change the flow ofwater through a plurality of orifices in a control valve of a watersoftening system. The system comprises a brine tank and a resin tank inoperative connection with the control valve. The brine tank includes apump therein, and the resin tank includes an ion exchange resin bed. Themethod further includes through operation of at least one controller,causing the pump to operate to push brine from the brine tank throughthe control valve and into the resin tank.

In another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a water treatment systemis provided that includes first and second water treatment controlvalves. Each control valve includes a plurality of orifices and apiston. Movement of the piston is operative to change the flow of waterthrough the orifices of the respective control valve. Each control valveincludes an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet and outlet ports ofthe second control valve extend from the second control valve inlocations on the second control valve that are reversed relative tolocations on the first control valve from which the inlet and outletports of the first control valve extend from first control valve. Eachcontrol valve is in operative connection with a respective brine tankand a resin tank. A manifold is in operative connection with the inletand outlet ports of the first and second control valves. The manifoldincludes an inlet and an outlet port and a three way valve. At least onecontroller is operatively configured to selectively operate the threeway valve to direct water from the inlet port of the manifold to atleast one of the input ports of the first and second control valves.

In another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a method is provided thatincludes moving a first piston with a first motor to change the flow ofwater through a plurality of orifices in a first control valve of afirst water treatment system. The system comprises a first brine tankand a first resin tank in operative connection with the first controlvalve. The first resin tank includes a first ion exchange resin bed. Thefirst control valve includes a first inlet port and a first outlet port.The first inlet and outlet ports are in operative connection with amanifold that includes an inlet and an outlet. The manifold is inoperative connection with a second inlet port and a second outlet portof a second control valve of a second water treatment system thatcomprises a second brine tank and a second ion tank. The second inletand second outlet ports extend from the second control valve inlocations on the second control valve that are reversed relativelocations on the first control valve from which the first inlet andfirst outlet ports extend from first control valve. The method furtherincludes through operation of at least one controller operating a threeway valve in the manifold to direct water from the inlet port of themanifold away from the first input port of the first control valve ofthe first water softening system and towards the second input port ofthe second control valve of the second water softening system.

In another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a method for regeneratingthe ion exchange resin bed of a resin tank for a water treatment systemis provided. This method includes supplying a first pulse of regeneratesolution into the resin tank to charge a first section of the ionexchange resin bed, and supplying a second pulse of regenerate solutionto charge a second section of the ion exchange resin bed.

In another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a water treatment systemis provided that includes a brine tank and a resin tank, wherein theresin tank includes an ion exchange resin bed. A control valve is inoperative connection with the brine tank and resin tank. The controlvalve includes a fluid valve that is operative to open and close atleast one passage in fluid communication between the control valve andthe brine tank. At least one controller is operatively connected to thefluid valve and operative to selectively cause the fluid valve to openand close the at least one passage such that regenerate solution fromthe brine tank flows into the resin tank in pulses. Each pulse ofregenerate solution is at a value that fully charges a respectivesection of the ion exchange resin bed.

In another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is providedthat includes a cover piece that is configured to be mounted to acontrol valve body of a water treatment system. The water treatmentsystem includes a brine tank and a resin tank. The control valve is inoperative connection with the brine tank and resin tank. The controlvalve includes a fluid valve in fluid communication with at least one ofthe orifices. The fluid valve is operative to open and close a firstpassage in fluid communication between the control valve and the brinetank. The control valve includes a control valve body. At least onecontroller is operatively connected to the fluid valve and operative toselectively cause the fluid valve to open and close the first passagesuch that regenerate solution from the brine tank flows into the resintank. The cover piece includes at least one tubular projection thatdefines a port configured for allowing a first fluid to flowtherethrough. The at least one tubular projection includes a section.When the cover piece is mounted to the control valve body, the sectionand control valve body are positioned with respect to each other suchthat an outer surface of the section and the control valve body define asecond passage in fluid communication with the first passage. The secondpassage is configured to allow a second fluid to flow therethrough.

In another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a water treatment systemis provided including a tank having a top, a control valve, and an airinlet. The control valve is positioned on the top of the tank and influid communication with the tank. The control valve includes aplurality of orifices in fluid communication with a source of untreatedwater, a treated water outlet, a drain, and a source of sterilizingfluid. The air inlet is in fluid communication with the tank and with afirst venturi. The control valve is operative to control the flow ofuntreated water through the first venturi to draw air through the airinlet and into the tank. The control valve includes a sterilizer valvethat is operative to open and close at least one passage in fluidcommunication between the control valve and the source of sterilizingfluid.

In another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a method for performingwater treatment cycles for a water treatment system that uses oxidationand filtration to treat the water is provided. This method includesproviding sterilizing fluid into the tank to sterilize elements in thetank, performing a backwash cycle in the tank to flow water into thetank to remove particulate matter from a filter in the tank, andperforming an air induction cycle to replace the water in the tank withair.

Other aspects will be appreciated upon reading and understanding theattached figures and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-5 show cross sectional views of an exemplary embodiment of awater softener system at various phases of the operation.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a control valve assembly according to theexemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 as viewed from the back of the system.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of elements of the water softener system ofFIGS. 1-5 as viewed from the back of the system.

FIG. 8 is a top and rear perspective view of a portion of the watersystem of FIGS. 1-5 illustrating the drive arrangements for the brinevalve and piston valve.

FIG. 9 is a rear and left perspective view of the portion of the watersystem of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of a cam of the water softener systemof FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of the water softenersystem of FIGS. 1-5 illustrating a removable cover.

FIG. 12 is a partially cut away schematic side view of the watersoftener system of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of a portion of the water system ofFIGS. 1-5 but with another exemplary brine valve for controlling fluidflow through three ports.

FIG. 14 is a schematic side view of an exemplary arrangement fordetecting the salt level in the brine tank of a water softener system.

FIG. 15 is a top view of a bypass valve assembly operatively mounted toa first control valve of the water softener system of FIGS. 1-5 and asecond control valve of the water softener system of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the bypass valve assembly operatively mountedto two control valves of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 shows a portion of the first control valve of the water softenersystem of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 18 shows a portion of the second control valve of the watersoftener system of FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an electronic platformof a water softener system.

FIGS. 20-24 is a cross sectional view of another exemplary embodiment ofa water softener system at various phases of the operation.

FIGS. 25-29 is a cross sectional view of still another exemplaryembodiment of a water softener system at various phases of theoperation.

FIG. 30 is a rear perspective view of the retaining plate of analternative arrangement of the retaining plate and the piston rod of thewater softener system.

FIG. 31 is a right side perspective view of the retaining plate of FIG.30.

FIG. 32 is a rear perspective view of the piston rod of the alternativearrangement of the retaining plate and the piston rod of the watersoftener system.

FIG. 33 is a left side perspective view of the piston rod of FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 is a rear perspective view of the retaining plate and piston rodarrangement of FIGS. 30-33.

FIG. 35 is a sectional view taken along line 35-35 of FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is a sectional view taken along line 36-36 of FIG. 35.

FIG. 37 is a schematic side view of another exemplary embodiment of awater softener system during the regeneration phase of operation.

FIG. 38 is a view similar to FIG. 37 except that the water softenersystem is in the service position for normal operation.

FIG. 39 is a schematic side view of the brine tank and related elementswith portions removed for illustration.

FIG. 40 is a side view of the nozzle body of the injector assembly forthe water softener system of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 37.

FIG. 41 is an end view of the nozzle body of FIG. 40.

FIG. 42 is sectional view of the nozzle body taken along line 41-41 ofFIG. 41.

FIG. 43 is a view of the nozzle body taken along line 43-43 of FIG. 40.

FIG. 44 is a side perspective view of the nozzle body of FIG. 40.

FIG. 45 is a schematic view of a portion of the water softener system ofFIG. 37.

FIG. 46 is a view similar to FIG. 45 with portions removed forillustrative purposes.

FIG. 47 is a side view of the body cover for the water softener systemof the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 37.

FIG. 48 is a side and top perspective view of the body cover of FIG. 47as viewed from the side opposite the side viewed in FIG. 47.

FIG. 49 is a side sectional view of the body cover of FIG. 47 takenthrough the center and viewed in the same direction as FIG. 47 andincluding portions of the valve body.

FIG. 50 is a side sectional view of a body cover taken through thecenter for another exemplary embodiment of a water softener system.

FIG. 51 is a schematic view of the exemplary embodiment of the watersoftener system mentioned in FIG. 50.

FIG. 52 is a schematic view of a portion of the water softener system ofthe exemplary embodiment of FIG. 51.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various technologies pertaining to water softener systems will now bedescribed with reference to the drawings, where like reference numeralsrepresent like elements throughout. In addition, several functionalblock diagrams of example systems are illustrated and described hereinfor purposes of explanation; however, it is to be understood thatfunctionality that is described as being carried out by certain systemcomponents and devices may be performed by multiple components anddevices. Similarly, for instance, a component/device may be configuredto perform functionality that is described as being carried out bymultiple components/devices.

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-5, a water softener30 is shown that includes a resin tank 32, a brine tank 34, and acontrol valve 36 threaded onto the top of the resin tank 32. When placedin service, the control valve 36 is fluidly coupled to the resin tank32, the brine tank 34, a line 38 leading to a source of untreated water,a treated water line 40, and a drain line 46. The resin tank 32 isfilled with a treatment medium such as an ion exchange resin bed 48, andthe brine tank 34 contains particles 260 of sodium chloride, potassiumpermanganate, or another suitable regeneration medium which can bedissolved by water to form a brine or regenerant solution 52. Inoperation, as incoming hard water enters the resin tank 32 through anopening 54 in the top of the resin tank 32, the water in the resin tankis forced through the resin bed 48 and out a distribution tube 55extending through the center of the resin bed 48. The capacity of theresin bed 48 to exchange ions with the minerals and impurities in theincoming hard water is finite, and depends on the treatment capacity ofthe resin bed 48 as typically measured in kilograms of hardness or gramsof CaCO₃ and the hardness of the incoming water as typically measured ingrains per gallon. To regenerate the resin bed 48 once its treatingcapacity has been depleted, the resin bed 48 is flushed with theregenerant solution 52 from the brine tank 34 so that the minerals andother impurities can be released from the resin bed 48 and carried outof the resin tank 32. All of these operations, as well as optionalattendant backwash and rinse operations, are controlled by the watersoftener control valve 36.

With reference to FIG. 6, the control valve 36 includes a valve body 56.The valve body 56 includes external ports in open communication with theexterior of the valve body. The valve body 56 includes internal orificesthat open into a central bore 58 of the valve body 56. The externalports are fluidly connected to the untreated water line, treated wateroutlet line, drain, brine tank, top opening of the resin tank, anddistribution tube of the resin tank, respectively. Seals 57, 59 may beprovided to seal the valve body 56 to the tank opening 54 anddistribution tube 55 (shown in FIG. 1). A drain port 60 provided at thevalve body is in fluid communication with the central bore 58 and drain46. A flow control assembly 62 is mounted to the drain port 60 and isretained therein by a retainer 64. The flow control assembly 62 includesa plastic flow control valve 66. A flow control device 68 is provided inthe control valve 66 and is sealed by an O-ring 70. A drain fitting 72such as a ninety degree elbow threads into the flow control valve 66.

The central bore 58 is configured to slidingly receive a piston assembly76 and a seal assembly 78. The piston assembly 76 includes a piston rod80, rod retainer 82 and piston 84. A retaining plate 86 is integrallyformed in one piece with the piston rod 80. The retaining plate 86 has alongitudinally extending upper slot 88 and a lower slot 90 that extendstransverse to the upper slot 88. As shown in FIG. 7, a fastening devicesuch as a screw 89 and washer 91 extends into the upper slot 88 andoperatively mounts the retaining plate 86 to rear side 108 of a backplate 110. The lower slot 90 receives a projection 92 of a main gear 94.

FIGS. 30-36 show an alternative arrangement of a piston rod 480 andretaining plate 486. In this arrangement the piston rod 480 andretaining plate 486 are made of plastic but are separate pieces securedtogether. As seen in FIGS. 30, 31 and 35, the retaining plate 486includes a pocket portion 488 integrally molded on the bottom end of theretaining plate by any suitable process such as injection molding. Thepocket portion 488 includes a generally cylindrical side wall 490 (FIG.30), a top portion 491 (FIG. 31), and an open bottom end. As best seenin FIG. 35, lateral holes 492, 494 are formed in respective rear andfront sides 496, 498 of the wall for receiving a fastener 500 such as apin.

As seen in FIGS. 32 and 33, the piston rod 480 includes a lower endportion 502, a middle portion 504, and an upper end portion 506 formedin one piece. The middle portion 504 is cylindrical in shape. The upperend portion defines a generally rectangular tongue 506 that extendsupwardly from the center of the upper axial end 508 (FIG. 33) of themiddle portion 504. In particular, the tongue 506 has a rectangular flatfront face 510 (FIG. 33), a rectangular flat rear face 512, left andright curved sides 514, 516 (as viewed from the FIG. 32), and a taperedupper end 518. The left and right sides 514, 516 have the same curvatureas the middle portion 504 of the piston rod 480. The width of the tongue506 or the distance between the left and right sides 514, 516 is thesame as the diameter of the middle portion 504 as seen in FIGS. 32 and36.

As best seen in FIGS. 33 and 35, the thickness of the tongue 506 or thedistance between the front and rear faces 510, 512 is smaller than thediameter of the middle portion 504. The tongue 506 includes an aperture520 that extends between the front and rear faces 510, 512 for receivingthe pin 500. Referring to FIGS. 34 and 35, when the piston rod 480 andthe retaining plate 486 are secured together, the tongue 506 slidablyextends into the interior space of the pocket portion 488. The upperaxial end 508 of the middle portion abuts the bottom end of the pocketportion 488 for additional support. The pocket portion 488 snuglyreceives the tongue 506 such that the holes 492, 494 of the pocketportion 488 are aligned with the aperture 520 of the tongue. The pin 500extends into the holes 492, 494 and aperture 520 and is held in place bycompression from the tongue 506 and pocket portion 488. Alternatively,the fastening arrangement may comprise a threaded bolt with a nut turnedon the front end of the bolt to secure the tongue 506 to the pocketportion 488. The piston rod 480 and retaining plate 486 are similar inall other aspects to the piston rod 80 and retaining plate 86 and thuswill not be discussed further in the interest of brevity. The piston rod480 and retaining plate are also operative associated with the sameelements as that for the piston rod 80 and retaining plate 86. Thisarrangement of a piston rod 480 and retaining plate 486 provides arelatively considerable amount of surface area of the pocket portion 488contacting or engaging the tongue 506 and thus significantly minimizesthe wear between the piston rod 480 and retaining plate 486 afterseveral water softening cycles.

Referring back to FIG. 6, the piston rod 80 or 480 is inserted into thepiston rod retainer 82. The piston 84 is hollow in construction andaxially receives the piston rod retainer 82. The seal assembly 78includes seals 96 that are axially spaced by spacers 98. The piston 84extends through the seal assembly 78 and engages the seals 96. Thepiston rod 80 or 480 also extends through a plug or cap 100 that ismounted to valve body 56 and covers the central bore 58 in the valvebody 56. The piston assembly 76 and seal assembly 78 are configureddepending on the location of the piston 84 within the seal assembly 78to connect one or more internal orifices of the valve body 56 to one ormore other internal orifices and thus creating different flow pathsbetween the external ports of the valve body 56.

The piston 84 or 484 is controlled by an electric motor 102 (shown inFIG. 7) or other suitable drive that reciprocates or moves the piston 84up and down through the bore 58 of the valve body 56. The motor 102 maybe a reversible DC motor or any type that has variable torque.Alternatively, the motor 102 may be an asynchronous AC motor or astepper motor. As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the motor 102 includes a casing104 and a rotary output member such as a pinion 106. The motor casing104 is mounted to the rear side 108 of the back plate 110 by screws 111such that the pinion 106 extends forwardly through the back plate 110.The pinion 106 includes teeth 112 (FIG. 8) that meshingly engage teeth114 (FIG. 7) of the main gear 94. The main gear 94 is rotatably mountedto the back plate 110 and a front plate 116. The back plate 110 mayinclude forwardly extending hooks 118 that engage the front side offront plate 116 in a bayonet type connection to mount the front plate116 to the back plate 110. The back plate 110 further includes forwardlyextending bosses 120 that are inserted into recesses of rearwardlyextending cylindrical projections 122 when the front and back plates116, 110 are mounted to each other to provide lateral support. The motor102 is controlled by a control module 124 that monitors the motion ofthe piston 84 and controls the operation of the motor 102 based at leastpartially on the current position of the piston 84. Energization of themotor 102 rotates the pinion 106, which in turn rotates the main gear 94to move the projection 92 up and down and along the lower slot 90. Thisaction moves the retaining plate 86 or 486 and hence, piston rod 80 or480 up and down through the bore at selected positions.

The control module 124 includes a processor or controller 126 that ismounted on a printed circuit board 128. The printed circuit board isoperatively mounted to a front cover 130 by screws 132. In addition, thecontrol module 124 may include a motor driver that in turn may includean internal current limiter for controlling the available drive currentfor the motor 102 and for permitting the controller 126 to determinewhether the motor driver is limiting the drive current for the motor.The control module 124 is operatively connected to a position monitor134 (schematically indicated in FIG. 19) that monitors the motion of thepiston 84. The position monitor 134 comprises an encoder 136 (FIG. 7)such as a magnetic or optical encoder that monitors the rotation of themain gear 94 via an encoder wheel 138 (FIG. 7) fixedly engaged to themain gear 94. The encoder 136 senses or monitors rotation of the maingear 94 and outputs a predetermined number of pulses to the controller126 for each revolution of the gear to the controller 126. Thecontroller 126 receives the signals from the encoder 136 and othersensors and transmits control signals to the motor 102. For instance,because it is known that a given number of detected pulses translatesinto a given stroke of the piston 84, the motor 102 can be controlled todrive the piston 84 to a desired position within the bore 58 simply bycounting the number of pulses from start. The position monitor 134 neednot be limited to an encoder and may comprise any device for preciselyand directly or indirectly monitoring movement of the piston 84 so as topermit the controller 126 to determine the piston's position within thebore 58. For example, if the motor 102 is a stepper motor, the positionmonitor 134 could be formed from part of the motor's internal controlcircuitry or could take the form of a limit switch or other mechanicalposition switch.

A brine valve 140 is provided in a bore 142 (FIG. 6) of the valve body56 that fluidly communicates with the external port 144 connected to theline 146 for the brine valve 140. The brine valve 140 controls the flowof the brine from the brine tank 34. Referring to FIG. 6, the brinevalve 140 includes a brine valve stem 148 that axially receives a valveseat 150. Elastomeric O-ring seals 152 are positioned upon the valveseat 150. The O-ring seals 152 are spaced from each other by a spacer154 and a quad ring 156 positioned upon the spacer 154. A valve cap 158is positioned upon a seal 142 and caps the seals 152, spacer 154, andquad ring 156 upon the valve seat 150. The valve cap 158 includes a head160 and a shaft 162. A coiled valve spring 164 axially receives theshaft 162 and is seated upon the head 160. The valve stem 148 axiallyextends through the O-ring seals 152, spacer 154, quad ring 156, cap 158and spring 164. The valve stem 148 is retained to the upper end of thespring 164 by a washer 166 and retaining ring 168. The spring 164 biasesthe valve stem 148 upwardly. In operation, the valve stem 148 axiallymoves within the bore 58 to open and close the brine port 144 in fluidcommunication with the line 146 to the brine tank 34 as illustrated inFIGS. 1-5 and 20-29. The brine valve 140 is controlled by a driveassembly 170 (FIG. 8) that reciprocates or moves the valve stem 148 upand down through the bore 58 of the valve body 56.

As seen in FIGS. 8-10, the drive assembly 170 includes a cam 172 thatincludes a cylindrical base 174 and a generally cylindrical head 176.The head 176 is coaxial with the base 174 and is of smaller size thanthe base 174. The head 176 includes a peripheral end 178 that graduallyextends radially outwardly in the circumferential direction to define aradially extending cam projection 180. The cam projection 180 includes aconcavely curved trailing end 182 (as viewed in the clockwise directionof FIG. 8) such that the cam projection 180 is hook shaped. As best seenin FIG. 10, the base 174 includes a recess 184 formed in a body 186 ofthe base 174 adjacent a forward axial end 188. The recess 184 is definedby a bottom face 190 (as viewed in FIG. 10) and opposite side faces 192,194 that angle outwardly and upwardly with respect to the bottom face190. The cam 172 includes a toothed axial bore 196 extending through thecenter of the cam 172. The drive assembly 170 further includes anelectric motor 198 as depicted in FIGS. 7-9. The motor 198 may be areversible DC motor or any type that has variable torque. Alternatively,the motor 198 may be an asynchronous AC motor or a stepper motor. Asshown in FIG. 9, the motor 198 includes a casing 200 and a rotary outputmember such as a pinion 202. The motor casing 200 is mounted to a drivemount 203 via screws 204 (FIG. 7) that is in turn mounted the rear side108 of the back plate 110 such that the pinion 202 extends into the bore196 of the cam 172. The pinion 202 includes teeth 206 that meshinglyengage the teeth 208 (FIG. 10) of the bore 196 of the cam 172.

Energization of the motor 198 causes the pinion 202 to rotate, which inturn rotates the cam 172 in the clockwise direction (as viewed in FIGS.1-5 and 20-29) such that the cam projection 180 can engage or camagainst the upper end of the valve stem 148 and moves the valve stem 148down in the open position of the brine valve 140. Continued rotation ofthe cam 172 in the clockwise direction will disengage the cam projection180 from the upper end of the valve stem 148 to allow the spring 164 tourge the valve stem 148 upwardly back into the closed position of thebrine valve 140. The motor 198 may include control circuitry thatcontrols the rotational speed and other aspects of the motor. The motor198 could also reverse the rotation of the pinion and cause rotation ofthe cam 172 in the counterclockwise direction. As seen in FIG. 8, amicroswitch 210 is mounted to front side 212 of the back plate 110adjacent the base 174 of the cam 172. The microswitch 210 includes apush button 214 that is extended into the recess 184 when the camprojection 180 engages the valve stem 148 to move the brine valve 140downward in the open position. The push button 214 is depressed by thecam 172 when the push button 214 is located out of the recess 184 andthe cam projection 180 is disengaged from the brine valve 140 such thatthe brine valve 140 is urged upward by the spring 164 to the closedposition. The microswitch 210 is electrically connected to thecontroller 126 as seen in FIG. 19. When the push button 214 is extended(FIG. 8), the microswitch 210 causes a signal to be sent to thecontroller 126 indicating that the brine valve 140 is in the closedposition. When the push button 214 is depressed, the microswitch 210causes a signal to be sent to the controller 126 indicating that thebrine valve 140 is in the open position. The microswitch 210 may benormally open or normally closed depending on the printed circuit boarddesign requirements. The side faces 192, 194 angle outwardly andupwardly with respect to the bottom face 190 to allow passage of apushbutton out of the recess 184

A brine line flow control assembly 216 is provided within brine port144, which is located between the brine valve 140 and brine line 146.The brine line flow control assembly 216 includes an adapter 218 that isthreaded into the brine port 144. The assembly 216 further includes aflow control button 220 that is retained by a retainer 222 and sealed byan O-ring seal 224. Front and rear covers 130, 131 cover the controlvalve 36, control module 124, and the components that control thecontrol valve 36. Optionally, as seen in FIG. 11, a one piece plasticremovable cover 226 may cover the components on the back and frontplates 110, 116 (shown in FIG. 8) to protect them from the environment.In particular, the cover 226 may include front and rear plastic tabs228, 230 formed at its bottom end with inwardly extending projections232,234. When the cover 226 covers the components, the projections 232,234 engage the bottom sides of respective horizontal front and backsupport plates 236, 238, which are provided to support the components.The cover 226 is removed by grasping the tabs 228, 230 and moving themoutwardly to disengage the projections 232, 234 from the support plates236, 238.

As seen in FIG. 12, the brine tank 34 may include a pump 240 to pump outthe brine or regenerate solution 52 (FIGS. 1-5 and 20-29) from the brinetank 34 to the resin tank 32. Specifically, the pump 240 is insertedinto a riser tube 242 that extends upwardly from the bottom 244 of thebrine tank 34. The pump 240 is located near the bottom 244 of the brinetank 34 and may be submersed into the brine solution 52. The pump 240may be of any suitable type such as a gear pump or centrifugal pump. Theline 146 (shown in FIG. 1) may comprise a flexible tube 246 that extendsfrom the outlet of the pump 240 through the riser tube 242 and to thebrine port 144 of the control valve 36 to transport the brine from thebrine tank 34 to the resin tank 32 and also transports treated waterfrom the resin tank 32 to the brine tank 34. A lid 256 covers the top ofthe brine tank 34. The pump 240 is electrically coupled via a power cord243 to a controller 248 mounted on a printed circuit board 250 forcontrolling the output of the pump 240. The controller 248 and circuitboard 250 may be provided in a control valve 252 that is mounted to thesidewall 254 of the brine tank. The controller 248 may also monitor thepump current to control when the water is at the air level. Thiscontroller 248 may be operatively connected to the control module 124(shown in FIG. 7). Alternatively, the controller 126 of the controlmodule 124 may be used instead of the controller 248 to control andmonitor the pump 240. Alternatively, a pressure switch may be providedto indicate the water level based on the detected pressure. For example,when the pressure switch detects no pressure, there is no water in thetank.

As seen in FIG. 14, the brine tank 34 may include an indicatingarrangement 258 that indicates when the salt 260 in the brine tank 34needs to be replenished. In particular, the indicating arrangement 258includes a cam wheel 262 rotatably mounted to the riser tube 242 or tank34. The cam wheel 262 includes a recess 264 in which a push button 266of a microswitch 268 extends therein. The microswitch is operativelyconnected to the controller 126 (shown in FIG. 7). An elastomeric band270 engages the cam wheel 262 and is connected to a paddle 272. When thesalt level is above the bottom of the paddle, the paddle 272 is pushedagainst the riser tube 242 from the force of the salt that alsoovercomes the biasing force of the band 270. When the salt level goesbelow the paddle 272, the biasing force of the band 270 causes the camwheel 262 to rotate the wheel 262 clockwise until the push button 266 ofthe microswitch 268 moves out of the recess 264 and is depressed by thecam wheel 262. The pressing of the push button 266 causes a signal to besent to the controller 126 indicating that the salt needs to bereplenished.

The operation of the water softener 30 will now be discussed. Referringto FIG. 1, the control valve 36 is in the service position in which theuntreated water inlet orifice 274 is in fluid communication with the topopening 54 of the resin tank 32, and the distribution tube 55 of theresin tank 32 is in fluid communication with the treated water outletorifice 276. The brine valve 140 is in the closed position blockingfluid from entering or exiting the brine tank 34. In this closedposition, the upper end of the valve stem 148 is located adjacent thetrailing end 182 (in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 10)of the cam projection 180 and is therefore not engaged by the camprojection 180. In this position, the push button 214 (shown in FIG. 8)is not in the recess 184 and depressed by the body 186 of the base 174of the cam so that the microswitch 210 causes a signal to be sent to thecontroller 126 indicating that the brine valve 140 is in the closedposition. In the service position, the piston 84 (shown in FIG. 1) is ina position to allow treated water to exit the outlet orifice 276. Thus,untreated water flows from the untreated water inlet orifice 274 throughthe resin tank 32 and then through the distribution tube 55 to theoutlet orifice 276 of the valve body 56 and to a treated water line 40.

When the system determines that the ion exchange capacity of the resinbed 48 will be exhausted in a designated period, a regeneration cyclemay commence. This decision may be based on the time since the lastregeneration cycle and/or sensed usage and/or other factors. To begin aregeneration cycle, the motor 102 for the piston 84 causes the piston 84to move to the fill position shown in FIG. 2. Also, the motor 198 forthe brine valve 140 causes the cam 172 to rotate clockwise until the camprojection 180 engages and moves the valve stem 148 down to open thevalve 140 and allow fluid communication with the brine port 144 and thebrine tank 34. In this position, the untreated water inlet orifice 274remains in fluid communication with the top opening 54 of the resin tank32, and the distribution tube 55 is now in fluid communication with boththe treated water outlet orifice 276 and the brine port 144. Thus,treated water flows to both the treated water outlet orifice 276 andinto the brine tank 34 thereby filling the brine tank 34 with treatedwater to dissolve some of the particles such as salt in the brine tank34, thereby forming regenerant solution 52. In this position too, thepush button 214 is extended into the recess 184 so that the microswitch210 cause a signal to be sent to the controller 126 indicating that thebrine valve 140 is in the open position.

When the fill phase is complete, the motor 102 for the piston 84 causesthe piston 84 to move to the backwash position shown in FIG. 3. Also,the motor 198 for the brine valve 140 causes the cam 172 to rotateclockwise until the cam projection 180 is disengaged from the valve stem148 to place the brine valve 140 in the closed position to prevent fluidfrom flowing into or out of the brine tank 34. In this position, the topopening 54 of the resin tank 32 is in fluid communication with the drainport 60, and the untreated water inlet orifice 274 is in fluidcommunication with both the treated water outlet orifice 276 and thedistribution tube 55. Thus, untreated water entering from the inletorifice 274 flows both through the outlet orifice 276 to supplyuntreated water to the treated water line, and also through thedistribution tube 55. The untreated water flows down through thedistribution tube 55 and up through the resin bed 48 and out the drainport 60 to flush trapped particulate matter from the resin bed 48. Inthis position, the push button 214 (shown in FIG. 8) is not in therecess and is depressed by the cam so that the microswitch 210 causes asignal to be sent to the controller 126 indicating that the brine valve140 is in the closed position.

After the back wash phase, the motor 102 for the piston 84 causes thepiston 84 to move to the regenerate position shown in FIG. 4. Also, themotor 198 for the brine valve 140 causes the cam 172 to rotate clockwiseuntil the cam projection 180 engages and moves the valve stem 148 downto open the brine valve 140 and allow fluid communication with the brineport 144 and brine tank 34. In this position, the untreated water inletorifice 274 is in fluid communication with the treated water outletorifice 276, the brine port 144 is in fluid communication with thedistribution tube 55, and the top opening 54 of the resin tank 32 is influid communication with the drain port 60. In this position, the pump240 pumps brine 52 from the brine tank 34 through the brine port andthrough the distribution tube 55. The brine 52 goes down through thedistribution tube 55 and then up through the resin bed 48 and thenthrough the tank opening 54 to the drain port 60, thereby flushing theresin tank 32 with the regenerate solution to regenerate the resin bed48 by replacing objectionable ions such as calcium ions in the exhaustedresin bed 48 with less objectionable ions such as sodium ions. Thisoperation is called upflow regeneration since the brine 52 flows firstthrough the distribution tube 55 and then up through the resin bed 48and the top opening 54 of the resin tank 32 and then to the drain port60. In this position too, the push button 214 is extended so that themicroswitch 210 causes a signal to be sent to the controller 126indicating that the brine valve 140 is in the open position.

After the regeneration phase of the cycle is complete, the motor 102causes the piston 84 to move to the rapid rinse position seen in FIG. 5.Also, the motor 198 for the brine valve 140 causes the cam 172 to rotateclockwise until the cam projection 180 is disengaged from the valve stem148 to place the brine valve 140 in the close position to prevent fluidfrom flowing into or out of the brine tank 34. In this position, theuntreated water inlet orifice 274 is connected to the treated wateroutlet orifice 276 and the top opening 54 of the resin tank 32. Thedistribution tube 55 is connected to the drain port 60, thereby rinsingthe resin tank 32 with untreated water to remove the regenerant solution52 from the resin tank 32. The resin bed 48 is now fully-regenerated andready to resume water treatment. In this position too, the push button214 (shown in FIG. 8) is depressed so that the microswitch 210 causes asignal to be sent to the controller 126 indicating that the brine valve140 is in the closed position. The motor 102 for the piston 84 thencauses the piston 84 to move back to the service position and the motor198 for the brine valve 140 causes the brine valve 140 to be in theservice position as shown in FIG. 1 to resume normal operation of thewater softener.

In another exemplary embodiment, brine is supplied to the resin bed 48in a manner that greatly increases the efficiency of regeneration. Inthis exemplary embodiment, the resin bed 48 is only backwashedperiodically on spaced intervals instead of every regeneration cycle.For example, the resin bed 48 may be backwashed every fifth regenerationcycle. This interval for the back wash may vary depending on thepretreatment of the untreated water. This periodic backwash allows theresin bed 48 to be more efficient, since it is not disturbed by abackwash cycle each time it is regenerated.

In this exemplary embodiment, the cycle begins with the brine line beingopened and the brine tank 34 being filled with an amount of untreatedwater to make a minimum amount of saturated brine that would match thetheoretical amount of saturated brine that would regenerate the givenamount of resin if very high efficiency levels were achieved. Afterseveral hours of saturation have elapsed, the brine is pumped by thepump 240 into the bottom of the resin tank 32 to slowly displace theexisting water around the resin bed 48 with brine that is immediatelybeing diluted by the treated water. The brine is allowed to residearound the resin bed 48 for a period of time to commence the ionexchange process. The controller 126 then operates the components of thewater softener to cause a controlled amount of treated water to flowinto the brine tank 34 that will be immediately pumped into the resinstank 32 before it can dissolve any amount of salt. As the brine entersthe resin bed area it will completely surround the resin bed 48 with anow diluted brine that is diluted to the most effective concentrationfor an efficient regeneration. A greatly shortened final rinse is theninitiated to remove the transfer byproducts. The water is reducedbecause the free board area above the resin is not contaminated withcalcium and brine as it is in the previously mentioned brining method.This also contributes to a reduced water use.

In another exemplary embodiment, a venturi type injector 278 may be usedinstead of the pump to draw brine from the brine tank 34 in to the resintank 32. Such an arrangement is shown in FIG. 20-24, which illustratethe operation of another example embodiment of a water softener 300. Inthis exemplary embodiment, the same reference numbers are used forelements that are similar in construction and function as that of thewater softener 30 of the previous embodiment. In particular, theinjector 278 is provided in the control valve 360. The injector 278includes a control valve 280 and venturi nozzle 282 in which untreatedwater flows therethrough to draw brine from the brine tank 34 into theresin tank 32. The operation of this water softener is as follows.Referring to FIG. 20, the control valve 360 is in the service positionin which the untreated water inlet orifice 274 is in fluid communicationwith the top opening 54 of the resin tank 32, and the distribution tube55 of the resin tank 32 is in fluid communication with the treated wateroutlet orifice 276. The brine valve 140 is in the closed positionblocking fluid from entering or exiting the brine tank 34. In thisclosed position, the upper end of the valve stem 148 is located adjacentthe trailing end 182 (in the counterclockwise direction) of the camprojection 180 and is therefore not engaged by the cam projection 180.In this position, the push button 266 is not in the recess 184 anddepressed by the body 186 of the base 174 of the cam 172 so that themicroswitch 210 causes a signal to be sent to the controller 126indicating that the brine valve 140 is in the closed position. In theservice position, the piston 84 is in a position to allow treated waterto exit the outlet orifice 276. Thus, untreated water flows from theuntreated water inlet orifice 274 through the resin tank 32 and thenthrough the distribution tube 55 to the outlet orifice 276 of the valvebody 56 and to a treated water line 40 shown in FIG. 20.

When the system determines that the ion exchange capacity of the resinbed 48 will be exhausted in a designated period, a regeneration cyclemay commence. This decision may be based on the time since the lastregeneration cycle and/or sensed usage and/or other factors. To begin aregeneration cycle, the motor 102 for the piston 84 causes the piston 84to move to the fill position shown in FIG. 21. Also, the motor 198 forthe brine valve 140 causes the cam 172 to rotate clockwise until the camprojection 180 engages and moves the valve stem 148 down to open thevalve 140 and allow fluid communication with the brine port 144 and thebrine tank 34. In this position, the untreated water inlet orifice 274remains in fluid communication with the top opening 54 of the resin tank32, and the distribution tube 55 is now in fluid communication with boththe treated water outlet orifice 276 and the brine port 144. Thus,treated water flows to both the treated water outlet orifice 276 andinto the brine tank 34 thereby filling the brine tank 34 with treatedwater to dissolve some of the particles such as salt in the brine tank34, thereby forming regenerant solution 52. In this position too, thepush button 214 is extended into the recess 184 so that the microswitch210 cause a signal to be sent to the controller 126 indicating that thebrine valve 140 is in the open position.

When the fill phase is complete, the motor 102 for the piston 84 causesthe piston 84 to move to the backwash position shown in FIG. 22. Also,the motor 198 for the brine valve 140 causes the cam 172 to rotateclockwise until the cam projection 180 is disengaged from the valve stem148 to place the brine valve 140 in the closed position to prevent fluidfrom flowing into or out of the brine tank 34. In this position, the topopening 54 of the resin tank 32 is in fluid communication with the drainport 60, and the untreated water inlet orifice 274 is in fluidcommunication with both the treated water outlet orifice 276 and thedistribution tube 55. Thus, untreated water entering from the inletorifice 274 flows both through the outlet orifice 276 to supplyuntreated water to the treated water line, and also through thedistribution tube 55. The untreated water flows down through thedistribution tube 55 and up through the resin bed 48 and out the drainport 60 to flush trapped particulate matter from the resin bed 48. Inthis position, the push button is not in the recess and is depressed bythe cam so that the microswitch 210 causes a signal to be sent to thecontroller 126 indicating that the brine valve 140 is in the closedposition.

After the back wash phase, the motor 102 for the piston 84 causes thepiston 84 to move to the regenerate position shown in FIG. 23. Also, themotor 198 for the brine valve 140 causes the cam 172 to rotate clockwiseuntil the cam projection 180 engages and moves the valve stem 148 downto open the brine valve 140 and allow fluid communication with the brineport 144 and brine tank 34. In this position, the untreated water inletorifice 274 is in fluid communication with the treated water outletorifice 276, the brine port 144 is in fluid communication with thedistribution tube 55 and untreated water inlet orifice 274, and the topopening 54 of the resin tank 32 is in fluid communication with the drainport 60. In this position, the untreated water enters the inlet orifice274 and flows into injector control valve 280 and through the injectornozzle 282 to draw brine from the brine tank into the distribution tube55.

The brine 52 goes down through the distribution tube 55 and then upthrough the resin bed 48 and then through the tank opening 54 to thedrain port 60, thereby flushing the resin tank 32 with the regeneratesolution to regenerate the resin bed 48 by replacing objectionable ionssuch as calcium ions in the exhausted resin bed 48 with lessobjectionable ions such as sodium ions. As discussed previously, thisoperation is called upflow regeneration since the brine 52 flows firstthrough the distribution tube 55 and then up through the resin bed 48and the top opening 54 of the resin tank 32 and then to the drain port60. In this position too, the push button 214 is extended so that themicroswitch 210 causes a signal to be sent to the controller 126indicating that the brine valve 140 is in the open position.

After the regeneration phase of the cycle is complete, the motor 102causes the piston 84 to move to the rapid rinse position seen in FIG.24. Also, the motor 198 for the brine valve 140 causes the cam 172 torotate clockwise until the cam projection 180 is disengaged from thevalve stem 148 to place the brine valve 140 in the closed position toprevent fluid from flowing into or out of the brine tank 34. In thisposition, the untreated water inlet orifice 274 is connected to thetreated water outlet orifice 276 and the top opening 54 of the resintank 32. The distribution tube 55 is connected to the drain port 60,thereby rinsing the resin tank 32 with untreated water to remove theregenerant solution 52 from the resin tank 32. The resin bed 48 is nowfully-regenerated and ready to resume water treatment. In this positiontoo, the push button 214 is depressed so that the microswitch 210 causesa signal to be sent to the controller 126 indicating that the brinevalve 140 is in the closed position. The motor 102 for the piston 84then causes the piston 84 to move back to the service position and themotor 198 for the brine valve 140 causes the brine valve 140 to be inthe service position as shown in FIG. 20 to resume normal operation ofthe water softener. In the embodiment incorporating the venturi typeinjector, an air check arrangement 284 may be provided to indicate thebrine level. The air check arrangement 284 may include a ball float 286provided in a tube 288, which is in fluid communication with the brineline at the bottom of the brine tank 34.

FIGS. 25-29 show another exemplary embodiment in which water softener400 may be configured to incorporate downflow regeneration in which thebrine 52 flows first down through the top opening 54 and the resin bed48 and then up through the distribution tube 55 and then up through theresin bed 48 and the top opening 54 of the resin tank 32 and then to thedrain port 60. In this exemplary embodiment the piston 484 is configuredto be longer than that of the piston 84 of the previous exemplaryembodiments. The same reference numbers are used for elements that aresimilar in construction and function as that of the water softener 30 ofthe previous embodiment.

The operation of the water softener 400 will now be discussed. Referringto FIG. 25, the control valve 436 is in the service position in whichthe untreated water inlet orifice 274 is in fluid communication with thetop opening 54 of the resin tank 32, and the distribution tube 55 of theresin tank 32 is in fluid communication with the treated water outletorifice 276. The brine valve 140 is in the closed position blockingfluid from entering or exiting the brine tank 34. In this closedposition, the upper end of the valve stem 148 is located adjacent thetrailing end 182 (in the counterclockwise direction) of the camprojection 180 and is therefore not engaged by the cam projection 180.In this position, the push button 266 is not in the recess 184 and isdepressed by the body 186 of the base 174 of the cam so that themicroswitch 210 causes a signal to be sent to the controller 126indicating that the brine valve 140 is in the closed position. In theservice position, the piston 484 is in a position to allow treated waterto exit the outlet orifice 276. Thus, untreated water flows from theuntreated water inlet orifice 274 through the resin tank 32 and thenthrough the distribution tube 55 to the outlet orifice 276 of the valvebody 56 and to a treated water line 40 (shown in FIG. 25).

When the system determines that the ion exchange capacity of the resinbed 48 will be exhausted in a designated period, a regeneration cyclemay commence. This decision may be based on the time since the lastregeneration cycle and/or sensed usage and/or other factors. To begin aregeneration cycle, the motor 102 for the piston 484 causes the piston484 to move to the fill position shown in FIG. 26. Also, the motor 198for the brine valve 140 causes the cam 172 to rotate clockwise until thecam projection 180 engages and moves the valve stem 148 down to open thevalve 140 and allow fluid communication with the brine port 144 and thebrine tank 34. In this position, the untreated water inlet orifice 274remains in fluid communication with the top opening 54 of the resin tank32, and the distribution tube 55 is now in fluid communication with boththe treated water outlet orifice 276 and the brine port 144. Thus,treated water is flows to both the treated water outlet orifice 276 andinto the brine tank 34 thereby filling the brine tank 34 with treatedwater to dissolve some of the particles such as salt in the brine tank34, thereby forming regenerant solution 52. In this position too, thepush button 214 is extended into the recess 184 so that the microswitch210 causes a signal to be sent to the controller 126 indicating that thebrine valve 140 is in the open position.

When the fill phase is complete, the motor 102 for the piston 484 causesthe piston 484 to move to the backwash position shown in FIG. 27. Also,the motor 198 for the brine valve 140 causes the cam 172 to rotateclockwise until the cam projection 180 is disengaged from the valve stem148 to place the brine valve 140 in the closed position to prevent fluidfrom flowing into or out of the brine tank 34. In this position, the topopening 54 of the resin tank 32 is in fluid communication with the drainport 60, and the untreated water inlet orifice 274 is in fluidcommunication with both the treated water outlet orifice 276 and thedistribution tube 55. Thus, untreated water entering from the inletorifice 274 flows both through the outlet orifice 276 to supplyuntreated water to the treated water line, and also through thedistribution tube 55. The untreated water flows down through thedistribution tube 55 and up through the resin bed 48 and out the drainport 60 to flush trapped particulate matter from the resin bed 48. Inthis position, the push button is not in the recess and is depressed bythe cam so that the microswitch 210 causes a signal to be sent to thecontroller 126 indicating that the brine valve 140 is in the closedposition.

After the back wash phase, the motor 102 for the piston 484 causes thepiston 484 to move to the regenerate position shown in FIG. 28. Also,the motor 198 for the brine valve 140 causes the cam 172 to rotateclockwise until the cam projection 180 engages and moves the valve stem148 down to open the brine valve 140 and allow fluid communication withthe brine port 144 and brine tank 34. In this position, the untreatedwater inlet orifice 274 is in fluid communication with the treated wateroutlet orifice 276, the brine port 144 is in fluid communication withthe distribution tube 55, and the top opening 54 of the resin tank 32 isin fluid communication with the drain port 60. In this position, thepump 240 pumps brine 52 from the brine tank 34 through the brine portand through the distribution tube 55. The brine 52 goes down through thetank opening 54 and resin bed 48 and then up through the distributiontube 55 to the drain port 60, thereby flushing the resin tank 32 withthe regenerate solution to regenerate the resin bed 48 by replacingobjectionable ions such as calcium ions in the exhausted resin bed 48with less objectionable ions such as sodium ions. This operation iscalled downflow regeneration since the brine 52 flows first through thedistribution tube 55 and then up through the resin bed 48 and the topopening 54 of the resin tank 32 and then to the drain port 60. In thisposition too, the push button 214 is extended so that the microswitch210 causes a signal to be sent to the controller 126 indicating that thebrine valve 140 is in the open position.

After the regeneration phase of the cycle is complete, the motor 102causes the piston 84 to move to the rapid rinse position shown in FIG.29. Also, the motor 198 for the brine valve 140 causes the cam 172 torotate clockwise until the cam projection 180 is disengaged from thevalve stem 148 to place the brine valve 140 in the closed position toprevent fluid from flowing into or out of the brine tank 34. In thisposition, the untreated water inlet orifice 274 is connected to thetreated water outlet orifice 276 and the top opening 54 of the resintank 32. The distribution tube 55 is connected to the drain port 60,thereby rinsing the resin tank 32 with untreated water to remove theregenerant solution 52 from the resin tank 32. The resin bed 48 is nowfully-regenerated and ready to resume water treatment. In this positiontoo, the push button 214 is depressed so that the microswitch 210 causesa signal to be sent to the controller 126 indicating that the brinevalve 140 is in the closed position. The motor 102 for the piston 484then causes the piston 484 to move back to the service position and themotor 198 for the brine valve 140 causes the brine valve 140 to be inthe service position as shown in FIG. 25 to resume normal operation ofthe water softener. Alternatively, a venturi type injector such as thatprovided for the embodiment shown in FIGS. 20-24 may be used instead ofthe pump 240. In this alternative version, an air check arrangement suchas that provided for the embodiment shown in FIGS. 20-24 may be providedto indicate the brine level.

Since the brine valve 140 is operated independently of the piston, thebrine valve 140 may, in the open position, allow the brine tank 34 to befilled with treated water at any time prior to the regeneration phase.It also allows operation of the rapid rinse to clean any residual brinefrom the pump for the embodiment in which the pump is used. In anotherexemplary arrangement as shown in FIG. 13, the brine valve may beconfigured to be a three-way brine valve 340 in which it opens andcloses an additional ambient air port 342 for injecting air into thecontrol valve so as to facilitate drawing brine from the brine tank 34or water into the brine tank 34. For example, the brine valve 340 may ina first position that closes the brine port 144 and the air port 342.The brine valve may be in a second position that opens both ports. Thebrine may be a third position the opens the brine port 144 and closesthe air port 342, or a fourth position that closes the brine port 144and opens the air port 342. The speed of the motor 198 may be controlledfor the air releases.

For the embodiments with the pump 240, it should be noted that the pump240 uses significantly less water to draw the brine from the brine tank34 than that of the venturi type injector. In one example, the pump 240may use only 4 gallons of water during the regeneration phase as opposedto 100 gallons of water which may be needed for a venturi type injector.In the embodiment in which the resin bed is backwashed periodically inspaced intervals, the amount of water may be reduced by ninety percentfrom that using the injector. This reduction is due in part to the factthat the amount of water that is needed when an injector pulls the brinethrough the resin is not required.

In a further embodiment, two or more of the previously described watersofteners may be coupled together using a manifold 304. Referring toFIGS. 15 and 16, the manifold 304 may include a bypass valve assembly302 that may be operatively mounted to the control valve 36, 360, or 436and be in fluid communication with the untreated water inlet orifice 274and treated water outlet orifice 276 located rearwardly from the valvebody 56. The bypass valve assembly 302 may include knobs or otherdevices that can close the control valve 36 to permit the water to bebypassed for service or repair. The bypass valve assembly 302 may beconfigured to connect to first control valve 36, 360, or 436 and asecond control valve 536 to the treated water line 40 and the untreatedwater line 38. The second control valve 536 may be similar to the firstcontrol valve except as discussed below. The second control valve 536 isoperatively connected to another resin tank. Another brine tank is influid communication with the resin tank through the second control valve536. The brine tank, resin tank and other elements of the water softenersystem for the second control valve may be similar in constructionand/or function as that of the water softener system 30, 300 or 400 forthe first control valve and thus will not be further described in theinterest of brevity.

As shown in the top plan view of FIG. 15, the bypass valve assembly 302includes an outlet flow portion 306 and an inlet flow portion 308. Theoutlet flow portion 306 includes first and second branches 310, 312 thatmerge into a main branch 314. The main branch 314 includes an outletport 316 that is in fluid communication with the treated water line 40for use in the home. The first branch 310 is in fluid communication withthe treated water outlet port 350 of the first control valve. The secondbranch 312 is in fluid communication with the treated water outlet port650 of the second control valve 536. A three way valve 320 is providedat the junction of all of the branches 310, 312, 314 and is operative tocontrol the flow of treated water from the outlet ports 350, 650 of thefirst and second flow control valves. In the first valve position, thetreated water is allowed to flow from the outlet port 350 of the firstcontrol valve to the outlet port 316 of the main branch 314, but treatedwater from the outlet port 650 of the second control valve 536 isblocked or prevented from flowing from the outlet port 650 of the secondcontrol valve 536 to the outlet port 316 of the main branch 314. In thesecond valve position, the treated water is allowed to flow from theoutlet port 650 of the second control valve 536 to the outlet port 316of the main branch 314, but treated water from the outlet port 350 ofthe first control valve is blocked or prevented from flowing from theoutlet port 350 of the first control valve to the outlet port 316 of themain branch 314. In the third valve position, the treated water fromboth outlet ports 350, 650 of the first and second control valves isprevented from flowing to the outlet port 316 of the main branch 314.The three-way valve 320 may be operated by an alternator motor 322 (FIG.19) and controlled electronically by the controller 126 in the controlmodule 124.

The inlet flow portion 308 includes first and second branches 324, 326that merge into a main branch 328. The main branch 328 includes an inletport 330 that is in fluid communication with the untreated water line38. The first branch 324 is in fluid communication with the untreatedwater inlet port 318 of the first control valve. The second branch 326is in fluid communication with the untreated water inlet port 618 of thesecond control valve 536. A first valve 352 is provided between theinlet port 318 of the first control valve and the inlet port 330 of themain branch 328. The first valve 352 is operative in an open position toallow untreated water from the untreated water line 38 to flow into thefirst control valve, and in a closed position to prevent untreated waterfrom the untreated water line 38 from flowing into the first controlvalve. A second valve 354 is provided between the inlet port 618 of thesecond control valve 536 and the inlet port 330 of the main branch 328.The second valve 354 is operative in an open position to allow untreatedwater from the untreated water line 38 to flow into the second controlvalve 536, and in a closed position to prevent untreated water from theuntreated water line from flowing into the second control valve 536. Thefirst and second valves 352, 354 may include knobs or other devices topermit the valve to be turned by hand between their open and closedpositions. The valves may be any suitable type such as a ball valve.Optionally, alternator motor(s) may control operation of the first andsecond valves 352, 354 as well as the three-way valve 320 and inflowvalves of the manifold of the bypass valve assembly.

As seen in a side plan view in FIG. 16, the inlet flow portion 308 isrouted underneath the main branch 314 (shown in FIG. 16) of the outletflow portion 306. Alternatively, the main branch 314 of the outlet flowportion 306 may be routed underneath the inlet flow portion 308. As seenin FIGS. 17 and 18, the inlet and outlet ports 618, 650 of the secondcontrol valve 536 are in reverse locations to the inlet and outlet ports318, 350 of the first control valve. This allows the outlet port 350 ofthe first control valve to align with the outlet port 650 of the secondcontrol valve 536 and the inlet port 318 of the first control valve toalign with the inlet port 618 of the second control valve 536 so thatthe manifold can be easily mounted to the control valves. The process ofreversing the inlet and outlet ports 618, 650 of the second controlvalve 536 is accomplished by reversing slots of its valve body 656 thatare in fluid communication with inlet and outlet ports 618, 650 of thesecond control valve 536 and with inlet and outlet orifices 274, 276 ofthe interior of the valve body 656, after the molding the valve body.

In particular, FIG. 17 shows the inlet and outlet port 318, 350 of thefirst control valve. The valve body 56 includes a cavity 353 that isbounded by a wall 356. A first slot 358 is machined or cut out of thewall 356 at the upper end of the wall 356. The first slot 358 fluidlycommunicates with the inlet orifice 274, which is located upwardly fromthe outlet orifice 276, and the inlet port 318. A second slot 361 ismachined or cut out of the wall 356 at the lower end of the wall 356.The second slot 361 fluidly communicates with the outlet orifice 276 andthe outlet port 350. The first and second slots 358, 361 are verticallyand horizontally spaced apart such that the first slot 358 is locatedhigher than the second slot 361. The inlet port 318 is located left (asviewed in FIGS. 6 and 17 from the rear of the control valve) of theoutlet port 350. FIG. 18 shows slots 658, 660 of the inlet and outletports 618, 650 of the second control valve 536. In this case, the inletport 618 is now located right (as viewed in FIG. 18 from the rear of thecontrol valve) of the outlet port 650. That is, the first slot 658 ismachined or cut out of the wall 356 at the upper end of the wall 356 andfluidly communicates with the inlet orifice 274 and the inlet port 618.The second slot 660 is machine or cut out of the wall at the lower endof the wall and fluidly communicates with the outlet orifice 276 and theoutlet port 650.

FIG. 19 shows an example embodiment of a control module 124 thatincludes a display 362 and function buttons 364 to operate one or moreof the previously described water softeners. The control module 124 mayinclude a mechanical indicator dial 366 that can be used to set the timeof certain operations in the water softener. Alternatively, the controlmodule 124 may include an electronic timer to set the time of certainoperations of the water softener. An atomic clock signal receiver device(which sets the correct time via a received radio signal) 368 could beoperatively connected to the timer for accurate timing and to allowadjustment of the time after a power loss or time change due to daylightsavings. In another exemplary arrangement, the control module 124 may beremotely mounted to locations other than that of water softener. Theseremote locations may be in more convenient places for operation by auser. For example, the control module may located in a garage or bathroom of a house.

FIG. 19 also shows an electronic platform that can be incorporated withthe control module. The platform may include sensors that may beconnected to the control module to control the operation of the watersoftener(s) based on certain sensed conditions. For example, a remotemoisture sensor 370 may be operatively connected to the control module124. The control module 124 controls the control valves and three-wayvalve based on the sensed moisture. A moisture sensor 370 may beoperatively connected to the brine tank 34 to detect moisture in thetank. The control module 124 could use the sensed data to determine whenthe filing or regeneration phase is occurring. The moisture sensor 370may detect that the moisture level is low for a long period, which mayindicate that the water softener is not operating correctly to fill thebrine tank 34. A remote moisture sensor 370 may also be used to detectmoisture coming from a broken pipe and transmit that data to the controlmodule 124. The control module 124 would then operate the valves toprevent water from entering the water softener. For example, thecontroller 126 in the control module 124 may cause the piston to move toa standby position that prevents untreated water from entering the watersoftener. Alternatively or in addition, other types of sensor could beprovided to detect broken water lines. The controller 126 also coulddetect power loss during the regeneration of the brine and use powerfrom a battery 384 to cause motor 102 to move the piston to the standbyposition. Alternatively, a salt sensor may be operatively connected tothe brine tank to detect the salt level in the brine tank. The saltsensor may be operatively connected to the controller 126 to determinewhen the brine tank is being filled or being emptied in response to thesalt sensor

The control module 124 may be operatively connected to a user remotedevice 372 as schematically illustrated in FIG. 19 that allows a user toshut off the water to the water softener system when they go on vacationor operate the control valve(s) to temporary bypass the water softener.The control module 124 may be operatively connected to a smart grid 374associated with an electric company. The control module 124 may beconnected to an internet interface 376 to allow access and control ofthe water softener by a user over the internet. The control module 124may also be operatively connected to telemetry systems that provideinformation in which the control module 124 uses to control the watersoftener. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the control module 124 may operateto control the motors of the first and second control valves connectedto the bypass valve assembly in a manner that continues the supply oftreated water to the household even, for example, during theregeneration, rapid rinse, or back wash phases of one of the watersofteners associated with one of the control valves or at any other timethat that water softener is not operative to supply treated water to thehousehold. In particular, the control module 124 may be operativelyconnected to a leading slave board 378, which is operatively connectedto the piston motor 102 and brine valve motor 198 of the first controlvalve 36. The control module 124 may be operatively connected to alagging slave board 380, which is operatively connected to the pistonmotor 102 and brine valve motor 198 of the second control valve 536. Thealternator motor 322 is operatively connected to the leading slave board378.

In operation, the first control valve 36 is operative to allow operationof its associated water softener. When the control module 124 receivesdata that the water softener is about to enter the one of the phases inthe regeneration cycle (e.g. regeneration, rapid rinse, or back wash),the control module 124 sends a control signal to the second controlvalve 536 to place it in the service position. This data may come from aflow meter or the moisture or other sensors. Alternatively, the data maycome from the timer that causes the regeneration cycle to operate at apredetermined time. The control module 124 also sends a control signalvia the leading slave board to the alternator motor 322 to control thethree-way valve 320 to place it in the first position to prevent treatedwater from first control valve 36 from flowing into the treated waterline 40 but allow treated water from the second control valve 536 toflow into the treated water line 40. When the regeneration cycle of thewater softener associated with the first control valve 36 is completeand the first control valve 36 is in the service position, the controlmodule 124 sends a control signal via the leading slave board 378 to thealternator motor 322 to control the three-way valve 320 to place it inthe second position to prevent treated water from the second controlvalve 536 from flowing into the treated water line 40 but allow treatedwater from the first control valve 36 to flow into the treated waterline 40. The control module 124 may be connected to the above mentionedcomponents shown in FIG. 19 by a hard wire connection 381 or wirelessconnection 382. The wireless technology may be a Zigby, Bluetooth, orNear Field connection.

The functions of the controller described herein may be implementedusing computer executable instructions (e.g. whether software orfirmware) operate to execute in one or more processors. Suchinstructions may be resident on and/or loaded from computer readablemedia or articles of various types into the respective processors. Suchcomputer executable software instructions may be included on and loadedfrom one or more articles of computer readable media such as firmware,hard drivers, solid state drives, flash memory devices, CDs, DVDs,tapes, RAM, ROM and/or other local, remote, internal, and/or portablestorage devices placed in operative connection with the described systemand other systems described herein.

Water softener systems may use large amounts of water and salt toregenerate the resin bed. This additional amount of water and salt addsto the cost of operating the water softener system and also the wastedbrine is sent down in the drain, which may be bad for the environment.In addition, consumer and regulatory agencies are demanding that watersofteners use less water and salt.

FIGS. 37 and 38 show another exemplary embodiment of a water softenersystem that can reduce the amount of water and salt needed to regeneratethe resin bed. In this exemplary embodiment, the same reference numbersare used for elements that are similar in construction and function asthat of the water softener 30 of the previous embodiment. Referring toFIGS. 37-39, this water softener 600 includes a venturi type injectorassembly 602 to push the brine from the brine tank 34 to the controlvalve 604. The control valve 604 is similar to the control valve 36except for that discussed below. The venturi injector assembly 602 islocated in the brine tank 34. As seen in FIGS. 39-44, the injectorassembly includes a nozzle body 605, an injector nozzle 606, a threadedopening or port 622, and a throat 610. As depicted in FIG. 39, theinjector nozzle 606 is fluidly connected to an outlet end 612 of a drivewater line 614. The port 622 is fluidly connected to one end of aJ-shaped brine pick up tube 616. The throat 610 is fluidly connected toa brine line 618. As depicted in FIGS. 40-44, the nozzle body 605includes threaded openings 620 and 622 for threaded connection withtheir respective drive water line 614 and brine pick up tube 616. Theinjector nozzle 606 is securely received in the nozzle body at thethreaded opening 620. The nozzle body 605 is configured to receivedifferent sizes of injector nozzles therein. The outlet opening 624 ofthe nozzle body 605 is received by a safety valve 626 (FIGS. 37-39)provided in the brine line 618.

As seen in FIGS. 37-38, the other end 627 of the pick up tube 616 isimmersed into the brine such that bight portion 628 of the pick up tube616 tube is at the lowest point of the brine tank 34. An air checkarrangement 630 may be provided in the end 627 to indicate the brinelevel. The air check arrangement 630 may include a ball float providedin the pick up tube 616 that moves between the bight portion 628 and theend 627 based on the brine level of the brine tank 34.

The inlet end of the drive water line 614 is fluidly connected to anoutlet 631 (FIG. 45) of the control valve 604. The outlet 631 is influid communication with a fluid passage B defined by the valve body 56and a body cover 632 (see FIGS. 45-47). In particular, the body cover632 is mounted to the control valve 604 below the external port 144 asseen in FIGS. 45 and 46. Referring to FIGS. 47-49, the body cover 632 ismade of plastic and molded in one piece. The body cover 632 includes abase 634 and two tubular finger like projections that define a firstport 636 and a second port 638, respectively. Each projection is dividedinto first and second sections 640, 642. The first section 640 islocated adjacent the base 634 of the body cover 632. The second section642 is adjacent the first section 640. The second section 642 has anouter diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the first section640.

Referring to FIG. 49, the outer surface of the first and second sections640, 642 in combination with the valve body 56 define a first passagewayC and a second fluid passageway B, respectively (also schematicallyindicated by the dash lines in FIG. 46). A first O-ring 644 is insertedinto a circumferential groove 646 (FIG. 47) formed in the projection atthe junction of the first and second sections 640, 642 to seal the firstand second fluid passageways C, B from each other. A third fluidpassageway or zone A is located adjacent a distal end 648 of theprojection. A second O-ring 650 is inserted into a circumferentialgroove 652 formed in the distal end 648 to seal the second passageway Band third fluid passageway A from each other. The base 634 includesfirst, second, and third threaded openings 654, 656, 658. The firstthreaded opening 654 is in fluid communication with the first port 636.The second threaded opening 656 is in fluid communication with thesecond port 638.

The third threaded opening 658 may be plugged by a plug 660 (FIG. 45) toprevent fluid flowing therethrough or remain unplugged to allow fluid toflow therethrough depending on the application. The first port 636 maybe plugged by a plug 660, threadily inserted into the first opening 654,to prevent flowing through the first port 636 or remained unplugged toallow fluid to flow through the first port 636 depending on theapplication. The second port 638 may be plugged by a plug 660, threadilyinserted into the second opening 656, to prevent flowing through thesecond port 638 or remained unplugged to allow fluid to flow through thesecond port 638 depending on the application. In this embodiment, thethird opening 658 and the first port 636 are each plugged by a plug 660,and the second port 638 is unplugged as seen in FIG. 45.

As previously mentioned, the drive water line 614 is in fluidcommunication with fluid passageway B. The brine line 618 is fluidlyconnected at one end to the second opening 656 via a threaded fitting662. The other end of the brine line 618 is fluidly connected to thethroat 610 of the injector assembly 602 as previously mentioned.Referring to FIG. 39, the safety valve 626 provided in the brine line618 closes when the fluid level in the brine tank 34 reaches apredetermined high level due to, for example, a failure of a controlvalve. The closing of the safety valve 626 prevents the flow of fluid inthe brine tank 34 in to the resin tank 32 and thus prevents a floodedroom in a home where the water softener is located. In particular, thesafety valve 626 includes a float 666 that is attached to a lever 668.The lever 668 is attached to a valve part 670. Movement of the lever 668moves the valve part 670 between a valve open position and valve closedposition. When the liquid level in the brine tank 34 increase to apredetermined level, the float 666 will move upward which in turn movesthe lever 668 to move the valve part 670 to the valve closed position,which closes the safety valve 626.

Referring to FIG. 45, an untreated water line 672 is fluidly connectedto injector 674. The injector 674 is located at the external port 144 ofa water valve 676. The water valve 676 is provided in a bore 142 (FIG.6) of the valve body 56 that fluidly communicates with the external port144 connected to the water line 672. The water valve 676 is of similarconstruction and design as the brine valve 140 of the previousembodiments except that in this exemplary embodiment it is being used tocontrol the flow of untreated water from the untreated water line 672 tothe venturi injector assembly 602. This untreated water is used to drivethe venturi injector assembly 602 to draw brine from the brine tank 34into the resin tank 32. The water valve 676 is operated to move betweenthe open and close positions to permit pulses of water to flow from theuntreated water line 672 to the venturi injector assembly 602. Inparticular, initially the water valve 676 is in the closed position asshown in FIG. 38. When a determination is made by the controller 126 toregenerate the resin, the controller 126 is programmed to send a controlsignal to the motor 198 for the water valve 676 to cause the cam torotate clockwise until the cam projection 180 engages and moves thevalve stem 148 down to open the water valve 676 (FIG. 37) for aprogrammed predetermined time such as for two minutes or thirty seconds.The controller 126 may include a timer to start timing when the controlsignal is sent.

With the water valve 676 opened, the drive water can flow from theuntreated water line 672 through the port 144 out of the outlet 631 andthrough the fluid passageway B to the drive water line 614. The drivewater then flows into the nozzle 606 of the venturi injector assembly602 and pulls or draws the brine through the nozzle 606 and mixes withthe brine. The brine and drive water solution flows out of the throat610 of the injector assembly 602 and through the brine line 618 and thesecond port 638. Then, as indicated by arrow D, the drive water andbrine solution flow out of the second port and then through thedistributor tube 55 to the bottom of the resin tank 32. After thecontroller 126 determines that the drive water and brine solution hasflowed for the predetermined time, the controller 126 then sends acontrol signal to the motor 198 for the water valve to cause the cam 172to rotate clockwise until the cam projection 180 is disengaged from thevalve stem 148 to place the water valve 676 in the closed position for apredetermined time such as for two minutes or thirty seconds. With thewater valve 676 in the closed position, drive water is prevented fromflowing through the port 144 to the venturi injector assembly 602. Thus,no drive water and brine solution mix flows into the resin tank 32 forthis predetermined time period. After the controller 126 determines thatthe predetermined time has lapsed, the controller 126 causes the watervalve 676 to open to produce another pulse of drive water and brinesolution and the valve open/close cycle repeats.

This process continues to produce subsequent pulses of drive water andbrine solution until the air check in the brine tank 34 closes toindicate that there is no more brine. Alternatively, the process maystop after a predetermined time by the controller 126. The process mayalso stop when it is determined that the entire resin bed 48 justbecomes charged with a predetermined amount of brine. This predeterminedamount may be the amount of brine in the brine tank 34. The controller126 may be programmed to cause valves to open for a predetermined amountof time during the filling phase to send a predetermined amount oftreated water into the brine tank to mix with the salt to produce thispredetermined amount of brine needed to just charge the resin bed 48. Inessence, the predetermined amount of water sent to the brine tank 34 isthe exact amount that will saturate the exact amount of brine needed tocharge the resin bed 48.

Alternatively, a pump may be used instead of the injector assembly todraw the brine into the resin bed 48 at intermittent pulses. Thisexemplary embodiment is similar in structure and function as theexemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-19 except for that discussedbelow. As previously mentioned, referring to FIG. 12, the brine tank 34may include the pump 240 to pump out the brine or regenerate solution 52(FIGS. 1-5 and 20-29) from the brine tank 34 to the resin tank 32.Specifically, the pump 240 is inserted into a riser tube 242 thatextends upwardly from the bottom 244 of the brine tank 34. The pump 240is located near the bottom 244 of the brine tank 34 and may be submersedinto the brine solution 52. The pump 240 may be of any suitable typesuch as a gear pump or centrifugal pump. The line 146 (shown in FIG. 1)may comprise a flexible tube 246 that extends from the outlet of thepump 240 through the riser tube 242 and to the brine port 144 of thecontrol valve 36 to transport the brine from the brine tank 34 to theresin tank 32 and also transports treated water from the resin tank 32to the brine tank 34. A lid 256 covers the top of the brine tank 34. Thepump 240 is electrically coupled via a power cord 243 to a controller248 mounted on a printed circuit board 250 for controlling the output ofthe pump 240. The controller 248 and circuit board 250 may be providedin a control valve 252 that is mounted to the sidewall 254 of the brinetank. The controller 248 may also monitor the pump current to controlwhen the water is at the air level. This controller 248 may beoperatively connected to the control module 124 (shown in FIG. 7).Alternatively, the controller 126 of the control module 124 may be usedinstead of the controller 248 to control and monitor the pump 240.

In this alternative embodiment, the controller operates the pump 240 todraw the brine into the resin bed 48 at intermittent pulses. Inoperation, in the regeneration phase, the controller 126 sends a controlsignal to open the brine valve 140 and a control signal to operate thepump 240 for a predetermined time. After the predetermined time lapses,the controller 126 sends a control signal to close the brine valve 140and to turn off the pump 240. After pump 240 is off for a predeterminetime, the controller sends a control signal to open the brine valve 140and to turn on the pump 240 and this cycle repeats itself. This processcontinues to produce subsequent pulses of brine solution until there isno more brine in the brine tank 34. Alternatively, the process may stopafter a predetermined time by the controller 126. The process may alsostop when it is determined that the entire resin bed 48 just becomescharged with a predetermined amount of brine. This predetermined amountmay be the amount of brine in the brine tank. The controller 126 may beprogrammed to cause the valves to open for a predetermined amount oftime during the filling phase to send a predetermined amount of waterinto the brine tank to mix with the salt to produce this predeterminedamount of brine needed to just charge the bed. In essence, thepredetermined amount of water sent to the brine tank 34 is the exactamount that will saturate the exact amount of brine needed to charge theresin bed 48. The service position for normal operation, fill phase,rapid rinse phase, and backwash phase (optional), are similar to theexemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-19.

The operation of the water softener will now be discussed. Referring toFIG. 38, the control valve 604 is in the service position in which theuntreated water inlet orifice 274 is in fluid communication with the topopening 54 of the resin tank 32, and the distribution tube 55 of theresin tank 32 is in fluid communication with the treated water outletorifice 276 (see FIG. 1). The water valve 676 is in the closed positionblocking fluid from entering the brine tank 34. In this closed position,the upper end of the valve stem 148 is located adjacent the trailing end182 (in the counterclockwise direction) of the cam projection 180 and istherefore not engaged by the cam projection 180. In this position, thepush button 266 is not in the recess 184 and depressed by the body 186of the base 174 of the cam 172 so that the microswitch 210 causes asignal to be sent to the controller 126 indicating that the water valve676 is in the closed position. In the service position, the piston 84 isin a position to allow treated water to exit the outlet orifice 276.Thus, untreated water flows from the untreated water inlet orifice 274through the resin tank 32 and then through the distribution tube 55 tothe outlet orifice 276 of the valve body 56 and to the treated waterline 40.

When the system determines that the ion exchange capacity of the resinbed 48 will be exhausted in a designated period, a regeneration cyclemay commence. This decision may be based on the time since the lastregeneration cycle and/or sensed usage and/or other factors. To begin aregeneration cycle, the motor 102 for the piston 84 causes the piston 84to move to a fill position shown in FIG. 2. Also, the motor 198 for thewater valve 676 causes the cam 172 to rotate clockwise until the camprojection 180 engages and moves the valve stem 148 down to open thevalve 140 and allow fluid communication with the port 144 and the brinetank 34. The distribution tube 55 is now in fluid communication withboth the treated water outlet orifice 276 and the fluid passageway B. Inthis position, untreated water flows through the port 144 and down intothe resin tank 32 where it is treated and up through the distributortube 55 out of the outlet 631 and through the fluid passageway B. Thetreated water flows through the drive water line 614. Since in the fillposition the flow path through the brine line 618 and the second port638 is closed off, the resin tank 32 is pressurized so there is nopressure to flow the treated water through the brine line 618. Thus, thetreated water flows through the venturi injector assembly 602 andthrough the pick up tube 616 to fill the brine tank 34 with treatedwater to dissolve some of the particles such as salt in the brine tank34, thereby forming regenerant solution 52. In this position too, thepush button 214 is extended into the recess 184 so that the microswitch210 causes a signal to be sent to the controller 126 indicating that thewater valve 676 is in the open position.

When the fill phase is complete, the motor 102 for the piston 84 causesthe piston 84 to move to the regenerate position shown in FIG. 4. Also,the motor 198 for the brine valve 140 causes the cam 172 to rotateclockwise until the cam projection 180 engages and moves the valve stem148 down to open the brine valve 140 and allow fluid communication withthe brine port 144 and brine tank 34. The water valve 676 is opened andclosed to send concentrated pulses of drive water and brine through thebrine line 618 and into the resin tank 32 as previously mentioned.

Referring to FIG. 37, during the regeneration stage, the concentratedpulses of brine and water solution enter into the resin tank 32 via thedistributor tube 55 and start recharging the resin bed 48 at the bottomof the bed. This saturates or recharges (i.e. replacing objectionableions such as calcium ions with less objectionable ions such as sodiumions) only a few beads or particles in the resin bed at a time to createan efficient ion exchange. Since the beads at the bottom of the resinbed 48 are first fully recharged, subsequent pulses of brine will thensaturate the next area or section of the resin bed 48 upwardly adjacentthe bottom section. For example, a first pulse may recharge the first orbottom section S1, and then a second pulse may recharge a second sectionS2 above the bottom section S1, and then a third pulse may recharge athird section S3 above the second section S2. A fourth pulse mayrecharge a fourth section S4 above the third section S3, and then afifth pulse may recharge a fifth section S5 above the fourth section S4,and then a sixth pulse may recharge the top or final sixth section S6above the fifth section S5.

Thus, a subsequent pulse of brine saturates the next section of theresin bed 48 upwardly adjacent the most recently recharged section.Subsequent sections of the resin are recharged and saturated by plusesin this progressive manner until the top section of the resin bed 48 issaturated and fully recharged so that the entire resin bed is fullyrecharged. The number of sections may vary depending on the pulse amountand resin bed configuration, resin tank, speed or flow rate of the brineflow, or other factors. During the process, the water in the resin tank32 is displaced and pulsed to the drain port 60 and through the drainline 46 as each section of the resin bed is recharged. However, thebrine does not mix with the water above the charged portion of the resinbed 48 during saturation of each section. Thus, that water still may beused for rinsing or flushing.

In essence, the intermittent pulses of brine injected into the bottom ofthe resin bed just displaces the water around the resin beads withbrine. This action also lifts the bed of the resin and reclassifies thebed strata. This in turn expands the bed to open up exchange sites.However, since there is no constant velocity flow of brine, there is nochance of slippage when the bed fluidizes. The pause between pulsesfurthers the kinetic motion due to gravity, with the bed gently settlingback to the bottom of the resin tank 32.

Also, during the administration of the brine pulses, both the contacttime and the kinetic motion are provided by the gentle raising andsettling of the resin bed 48. No pre backwash cycle is needed toreclassify or recharge the resin bed because the up flow pulses performthat function.

After the resin bed 48 is fully recharged, the water valve 676 remainsopen. Since the brine in the brine tank 34 is empty, only the drivewater flows from the brine line 618 into the resin tank 32 and is usedto slowly rinse the resin bed 48.

After the regeneration and slow rinse phase of the cycle is complete, anoptional back wash phase may be initiated. In this phase, untreatedwater flows down through the distribution tube and up through the resinbed 48 and out the drain port 60 to flush trapped particulate matterfrom the resin bed 48. The untreated water may enter from the inletorifice 274 and flows both through the outlet orifice 276 to supplyuntreated water to the treated water line and also through thedistribution tube 55. In this example, the water valve 676 would beclosed. Alternatively, the water valve may be opened and the controlvalve may be configured to allow the untreated water from the port 144to flow through the distribution tube and up through the resin bed andout the drain port.

After the regeneration and slow rinse phase or optional backwash iscomplete, the motor 102 causes the piston 84 to move to the rapid rinseposition as seen in FIG. 5. Also, the motor 198 for the water valve 676causes the cam 172 to rotate clockwise until the cam projection 180 isdisengaged from the valve stem 148 to place the water valve 676 in theclosed position to prevent fluid from flowing into the brine tank 34. Inthis position, the untreated water inlet orifice 274 is connected to thetreated water outlet orifice 276 and the top opening 54 of the resintank 32. The distribution tube 55 is connected to the drain port 60,thereby rinsing the resin tank 32 with untreated water to remove theregenerant solution 52 from the resin tank 32. The resin bed 48 is nowfully regenerated and ready to resume water treatment. In this positiontoo, the push button 214 is depressed so that the microswitch 210 causesa signal to be sent to the controller 126 indicating that the watervalve 676 is in the closed position. The motor 102 for the piston 84then causes the piston 84 to move back to the service position and themotor 198 for the water valve 676 causes the water valve 676 to be inthe service position as shown in FIG. 1 to resume normal operation ofthe water softener. It has been show that the water softener in thisexemplary embodiment may reduce the amount of water needed to regenerateby 70% and may reduce the amount of salt needed to regenerate by 50%.

FIGS. 50-52 show another exemplary embodiment of a water softener system700 that uses oxidation and filtration in which contaminants are firstoxidized so that they can be removed by filtration. In this exemplaryembodiment, the same reference numbers are used for elements that aresimilar in construction and function as that of the water softener 30 ofthe previous embodiment. As seen in FIG. 51, the water softener 700includes a tank 702. The interior of the tank 702 includes a distributorplate 704 that supports a filtration media 706 placed upon thedistributor plate 704. The filtration media 706 may include any suitablemedia that can filter remove contaminants such as iron, magnesium, orsulfur. Aeration or sorbing balls 708 are provided in the tank on top ofthe filtration media 706. Theses mass transfer balls 708 attract ironand other contaminants in the water and enhance removal of the iron andcontaminants from the untreated water. The oxidation zone in the tank702 includes a head of air 709 located above the balls 708. A controlvalve 710 is mounted to the top of the tank 702 and is similar inconstruction and function as the control valve 36 except for thatdiscussed below.

A venturi type air injector assembly 712 is provided to inject air intothe tank 702. As depicted in FIG. 52, the air injector assembly 712includes an external body 714 and a threaded fitting 716. The threadedfitting 716 is threadily fastened into a threaded opening 718 near thetop of the tank 702. An elastomeric seal 720 is fastened on the exteriorsurface of the tank 702 and seals any openings between the air injectorassembly 712 and the tank 702. The body 714 is located outside of thetank 702 and is in fluid communication with the interior of the tank702. The body 714 includes a nozzle port 722 for receiving a drive waterline 724. The body 714 further includes an air port 726 through whichair can enter into the body 714 and the tank 702. The body 714 includesan outlet port 728 that is fluidly connected to the fitting 716. Aventuri nozzle 730 is provided in the nozzle port 722 and a throatportion 732 is provided in the outlet port 728. A check valve 733 isprovided in the air port 726.

A liquid chlorine line 734 for supplying liquid chlorine from a sourceis fluidly connected to an injector 736. Alternatively, the line 734 maysupply other types of suitable sterilizing liquids. The injector 736 islocated at the external port 144 of a sterilizer valve 738. Thesterilizer valve 738 is provided in a bore 142 (FIG. 6) of the valvebody 56 that fluidly communicates with the external port 144 connectedto the liquid chlorine line. The sterilizer valve 738 is of similarconstruction and design as the brine valve 140 of the previousembodiments except that in this exemplary embodiment it is being used tocontrol the flow of liquid chlorine from the liquid chlorine line 734into the tank 702. This liquid chlorine is used to sterilize thefiltration media 706 and other substances in the interior of the tank702.

The sterilizer valve 738 is operated to move between an open position toallow liquid chlorine from the line 734 to flow into the tank 702 and aclose position to block liquid chlorine from the line 734 to flow intothe tank 702. In particular, initially the sterilizer valve 738 is inthe closed position as shown in FIG. 52. When a determination is made bythe controller 126 to flow the liquid chlorine into the tank 702, thecontroller 126 is programmed to send a control signal to the motor 198for the sterilizer valve 738 to cause the cam 172 to rotate clockwiseuntil the cam projection 180 engages and moves the valve stem 148 (FIG.4) down to open the sterilizer valve 738 for a programmed predeterminedtime. The controller 126 may include a timer to start timing when thecontrol signal is sent. A venturi type injector 740 may be used toprovide the motive force to draw the liquid chlorine into the tank 702.The venturi injector 740 is provided in the control valve 710 and isdriven by the untreated water. One example, of such a venturi injectorwould that be shown FIGS. 20-24.

With the sterilizer valve 738 opened, the liquid chlorine can flow fromthe liquid chlorine line 734 through the port 144 through the venturiinjector 740 and down into the tank 702 for the predetermined time.After the controller 126 determines that the liquid chlorine has flowedfor the predetermined time, the controller 126 then sends a controlsignal to the motor 198 for the sterilizer valve 738 to cause the cam172 to rotate clockwise until the cam projection 180 is disengaged fromthe valve stem 148 to place the sterilizer valve 738 in the closedposition.

An outlet 742 in fluid communication with the inlet orifice 274 to theuntreated water line 38 is also in fluid communication with the thirdthreaded opening 658 of a body cover 744. As seen in FIG. 50, the bodycover 744 is similar in function and construction to that of the bodycover 632 of FIGS. 47-49 except that the first port 636 is removed.Thus, the same reference numbers will be used on FIGS. 50 and 52 thatcorrespond with the similar elements on FIGS. 45-49. In this embodiment,plugs 660 are threadily inserted into the first and second threadedopenings 654, 656 to plug them up. The drive water flows out of theoutlet 742 and then out of the third threaded opening 658 and into thedrive water line 724. The drive water then flows through nozzle 730 ofthe air injector assembly 712 and draws air through the air port 726 andthroat 732 and they both flow into the tank 702.

In operation, a cycle begins with the control valve 710 in the serviceposition in which the untreated water inlet orifice 274 is in fluidcommunication with the top opening 54 of the tank 702, and thedistribution tube 55 of the tank 702 is in fluid communication with thetreated water outlet orifice 276 (see FIG. 1). The sterilizer valve 738is in the closed position blocking the liquid chlorine from entering thetank 702. In this closed position, the upper end of the valve stem 148is located adjacent the trailing end 182 (in the counterclockwisedirection) of the cam projection 180 and is therefore not engaged by thecam projection 180. In this position, the push button 266 is not in therecess 184 and depressed by the body 186 of the base 174 of the cam 172so that the microswitch 210 causes a signal to be sent to the controller126 indicating that the sterilizer valve 738 is in the closed position.In the service position, the piston 84 is in a position to allow treatedwater to exit the outlet orifice 276. Thus, untreated water flows fromthe untreated water inlet orifice 274 and into the tank 702. Theuntreated water passes through the head of air 709 and is oxidized as ittravels through the head of air. The untreated water also travelsthrough the aeration and sorbing balls 708, which enhance removal of theiron and other contaminants from the untreated water. The oxidizedmatter is subsequently filtered out of the filtration media 706. Thewater then passes through the filtration media 706 and flows up throughthe distribution tube 55 to the outlet orifice 276 of the valve body 56and to the treated water line 40.

When a determination is made by the controller 126 to operate an airinduction cycle due to, for example, most of the air being used, firstthe piston 84 is moved by the motor 102 to a position so that the topopening 54 of the tank 702 is in fluid communication with the drain port60. In this position, any residual air is removed from tank 702. Themotor operates in a creeper mode to cause the piston 84 to move veryslowly to slowly open the drain port 60 so that the air is released veryslowly. After the air is removed, the piston 84 is moved to decompressthe tank 702 to draw air. The piston 84 is also moved so that untreatedwater can flow to the venturi injector 740. The sterilizer valve 738 isplaced in the open position. The piston 84 is also moved to a positionin which the untreated water can flow through nozzle 746 of the venturiinjector 740 to draw the liquid chlorine from the line 734 and throughthe venturi injector 740 and into the tank 702 to sterilize the elementsin the interior of the tank 702. The sterilizer valve 738 is then movedto a closed position after a predetermined time.

The piston 84 then moves into a downflow rinse time period and then to aposition where there is no flow into the tank for a predetermined time.This allows more contact time with the liquid chlorine for enhancedoxidation. Then, a backwash cycle is performed, the motor 102 for thepiston 84 causes the piston 84 to move to the backwash position shown inFIG. 3. Also, the motor 198 for the sterilizer valve 738 causes the cam172 to rotate clockwise until the cam projection 180 is disengaged fromthe valve stem 148 to place the sterilizer valve in the closed positionto prevent fluid from flowing into the tank 702. In this position, thetop opening 54 of the tank 702 is in fluid communication with the drainport 60, and the untreated water inlet orifice 274 is in fluidcommunication with both the treated water outlet orifice 276 and thedistribution tube 55. Thus, untreated water entering from the inletorifice 274 flows both through the outlet orifice 276 to supplyuntreated water to the treated water line 40, and also through thedistribution tube 55. The untreated water flows down through thedistribution tube 55 and up through the filtration media 706 and out thedrain port 60 to flush trapped particulate matter from the filtrationmedia 706. It also flushes the air 709 out of the tank 702 through thedrain port 60 and then drain line 46. In this position, the push button214 (shown in FIG. 8) is not in the recess and is depressed by the camso that the microswitch 210 causes a signal to be sent to the controller126 indicating that the sterilizer valve 738 is in the closed position.

After the backwash phase of the cycle is complete, the motor 102 causesthe piston 84 to move to the rapid rinse position (see FIG. 5). In thisposition, the untreated water inlet orifice 274 is connected to thetreated water outlet orifice 276 and the top opening 54 of the tank 702.The distribution tube 55 is connected to the drain port 60, therebyrinsing the tank 702 with untreated water.

Then, an air induction cycle is performed. The motor 102 for the piston84 then causes the piston 84 to move so that the tank 702 isdecompressed and the drain port 60 and drain line 46 is opened. Thepiston 84 is moved such that untreated water from the inlet orifice 274flows through the outlet 742 and opening 658 and into the drive waterline 724. The check valve 733 is open to allow air to enter the airinjector assembly 712. The drive water flows through the nozzle 730 todraw air through the air port 726 and the air and drive water combine totravel through the throat 732 and through the fitting 716 and opening718 and into the tank 702. The untreated water also flows into the topopening of the tank 702 from the control valve 710. The water flows fromthe bottom of tank 702 up through the distributor tube 55 and out thedrain port 60. As water flows out of the drain port 60, the tank 702 isbeing filled with air from the air injector assembly 712. This iscontinued until the water is substantially drained from the interior ofthe tank 702 and the volume of tank not occupied by the filtration media706 is filled with air. After this occurs, the check valve 733automatically closes to prevent air from escaping from the tank 702.Then, the control valve 710 moves to the service position for normalfiltration operation. Since the air is injected directly into the tank702 and bypasses the control valve 710, fouling is reduce in the controlvalve.

It should be noted that alternatively, a solenoid valve could be usedinstead of the brine valve, water valve, or sterilizer valve. Thesolenoid valve would be powered by the controller 126. The controller126 determines the open and closed position of the solenoid valve. Thecam and microswitch would not be needed in this arrangement.

It is noted that several examples have been provided for purposes ofexplanation. These examples are not to be construed as limiting thehereto-appended claims. Additionally, it may be recognized that theexamples provided herein may be permutated while still falling under thescope of the claims.

1. A water treatment system comprising: first and second water treatmentcontrol valves, wherein each control valve includes: a plurality oforifices; a piston, wherein movement of the piston is operative tochange the flow of water through the orifices of the respective controlvalve; an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein the inlet and outletports of the second control valve extend from the second control valvein locations on the second control valve that are reversed relative tolocations on the first control valve from which the inlet and outletports of the first control valve extend from first control valve;wherein each control valve is in operative connection with a respectivebrine tank and a resin tank; a manifold in operative connection with theinlet and outlet ports of the first and second control valves, whereinthe manifold includes an inlet and an outlet port and a three way valve,at least one controller, wherein the at least one controller isoperatively configured to selectively operate the three way valve todirect water from the inlet port of the manifold to at least one of theinput ports of the first and second control valves.
 2. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one controller is operativelyconfigured to operate the three way valve to prevent water from flowingout of the outlet port of the manifold.
 3. The system according to claim1, wherein the at least one controller is operatively configured tooperate the three way valve to direct water from the inlet port of themanifold to the output of the manifold through the input port of thefirst control valve, wherein responsive to a determination that aregeneration cycle for the resin tank is to begin at a predeterminetime, the controller is operatively configured to operate the three wayvalve to direct water from the inlet port of the manifold to the outputof the manifold through the input port of the second control valve whilepreventing water from being directed from the input port of the firstcontrol valve to the output port of the manifold.
 4. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein each control valve includes a cavitytherein, wherein the cavity is bounded by at least one wall, wherein thewall includes a first slot that is in fluid communication with the inputport of the control valve, wherein the wall includes a second slot thatis in fluid communication with the outlet port of the control valve,wherein the first and second slots are vertically and horizontallyspaced apart, wherein the first slot is relatively higher than thesecond slot in the control valve.
 5. A method comprising: a) moving afirst piston with a first motor to change the flow of water through aplurality of orifices in a first control valve of a first watertreatment system comprising a first brine tank and a first resin tank inoperative connection with the first control valve, wherein the firstresin tank includes a first ion exchange resin bed, wherein the firstcontrol valve includes a first inlet port and a first outlet port,wherein the first inlet and outlet ports are in operative connectionwith a manifold that includes an inlet and an outlet, wherein themanifold is in operative connection with a second inlet port and asecond outlet port of a second control valve of a second water treatmentsystem comprising a second brine tank and a second resin tank, whereinthe second inlet and second outlet ports extend from the second controlvalve in locations on the second control valve that are reversedrelative locations on the first control valve from which the first inletand first outlet ports extend from first control valve; b) throughoperation of at least one controller operating a three way valve in themanifold to direct water from the inlet port of the manifold away fromthe first input port of the first control valve of the first watersoftening system and towards the second input port of the second controlvalve of the second water softening system.
 6. The method according toclaim 5, and further comprising through operation of the at least onecontroller operating the three way valve to prevent water from flowingout of the outlet port of the manifold.
 7. The method according to claim5, wherein through operation of the at least one controller operatingthe three way valve to direct water from the inlet port of the manifoldto the output of the manifold through the input port of the firstcontrol valve, determining that that a regeneration cycle for the resintank is to begin at a predetermine time, wherein responsive to thedetermination that a regeneration cycle for the resin tank is to beginat a predetermine time, through operation of the at least one controlleroperating the three way valve to direct water from the inlet port of themanifold to the output of the manifold through the input port of thesecond control valve while preventing water from being directed from theinput port of the first control valve to the output port of themanifold.
 8. The method according to claim 5, wherein through operationof the at least one controller, causing a pump to operate to push brinethrough the control valve and into the resin tank.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 5 including operating a brine valve with a secondmotor to open and close one passage between the first control valve andthe first brine tank.